Valve



Patented Nev. ld, i922.

VALVE.

Application filed September 6, 1918.

vented certain new and useful lmprove ments in Valves; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full., clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to valve and more particularly to a valve for controlling` the emission of a fluid from an orifice adapted to be retained in a position to close vthe orifice by externalA pressure and to be opened by the fluid pressure when a predetermined difference bet-ween the fluid and external pressures is reached.

The object of the invention is to produce an improved construction of valve of the character indicated adapted to open quickly and positively when vthe requisite pressure difference is attained and to eliminate the objectionable chatteringl of previous constructions of valves of the general type indicated.

To this end the improved valve comprises a valve body for closing the orifice. The valve body is provided with a projection of a-width slightly smaller' than the width of the orifice and arranged to extend sufficiently into the orifice sothat during the initial opening movements of the valve the fluid is caused to pass through an initial constricted opening between the projection and the walls of the orifice and to suffer thereby sufficient loss of head so that as the fluid flows under theI body portion `of the valve little or no additional loss of head takes place so that the development of aregion of low pressure under the valve body is prevented. .Whem therefore, sufficient difference is attained between the fluid pressure and the external pressure to overcome the weight of the valve, the valve will open quickly and positively vand without any tendency to pass into a position of balance or to chatter, as has been experienced with previous constructions of such valves.

Referring to the drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the valve;V Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same with portions broken away; Fig. 3

Serial No. 252,981.

illustrates diagrammatically the position of balance assumed by a disk valve of the ordinary type, when the thrust of the static pressure of the fluid has been reduced by the lateral flow of the fluid under the valve, and Fig. t illustrates diagrammatically the relation to the orifice of a valve embodying;d the present invention.

Prior to the present invention the opening, of valves of the character and construction of the present valve has been attended by a peculiar phenomenon. It has been found that when the pressure which normally holds the valve to its seat, is reduced and the valve starts to open under the influence of the thrust of the static head of fluid against the inner surface thereof, that the valve moves away from the seat only a short distance into a position of balance, As the valve is moved away from its seat`v the effect of the thrust of the static head of fluid upon the valve is diminished by the flow of fluid over the seat and under the marginal portions of the valve, and further movement of tho valve is soon arrested because of the equalizing of the opposing pressures on both sides thereof. It is recognized that when the fluid flows in this inanner a region of low pressure develops between the fluid and the marginal portions of the under side of the valve with the result that the effective thrust upon the valve tending to open it is greatly reduced. lVith a certain size of orifice and width of valve, it is possible for the effect of the thrust upon the valve due to the static head of the fluid to be entirely eliminated 0r at least greatly diminished. ln such cases, unless the pressure exerted `upon the outer side of the valve has dropped to a negligible quantity, it is obvious that the valve will return toward its seat under the inuence of whatever pressure remains upon the voutery side thereof. After the valve has returned toward its seat, it is again opened and the above described movements krepeatedly occur until the eX- ternal pressure upon the valve has decreased to a. point where the effect of the static head is sufcient to cause the valve to open completely. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the chattering of the valve. In any event, whether the chattering takes place or not, it is obvious that with previous valves of this type the flow of fluid under the valve decreases the edect of the thrust of-the static head of fluid upon the valve, and consequently decreases the speed at which the valve opens, all of which detract from the successful operation of the valve.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is illustrated as embodied in an automatic dry-pipe fire-sprinkler system. The valve casing 1 contains a supply chamber 2 and a delivery chamber 3. The supply chamber 2 and the delivery chamber E are provided with flanges 4t and 5, respectively, for connecting the chambers with supply and distribution pipes. The valve casing 1 is' constructed in two sections suitably secured together by bolts 6, and is formed with a partition plate of bronze or other non-corrosible material, separating' the supply and delivery chambers. The partition 7 is provided with an opening or orifice 12 through which the fluid flows when the valve is open, from the supply chamber 2 to the delivery chamber 3 and to the distribution pipes. A cylindrical rinir 8 is threaded into the orifice 12 and forms a seat 9 for the valve 11. A gasket 10 of rubber or other suitable material is secured to the valve and is adapted to form a water-tight joint by co operation with the seat `9. The valve 11 is provided with a cylindricall projection 2O secured thereto by a bolt 21 and extended into the orifice 12. The diameter of the cylindrical projection 2O is somewhat less than the diameter of the orifice, whereby a passage 22 is formed between the projec` tion 2O and the interior of the orifice. This passage 22 is normally closed by the Igasket 10 restingupon the seat 9. The valve 11 is provided with a flexible ring 13 secured to the marginal portions thereof which seats upon a beveled valve seat 11i concentric with and `located somewhat behind the plane of the valve seat 9. A recess 15 is formed when the valve is closed between th'e marginal portion of the valve and the partition 7.

In operation the valve 11 is held in its closed position by air pressurey in the delivery chamber 3 of sufficient amount acting upon the enlarged surface exposed thereto, to counteract the fluid pressure in the supply chamber 2 upon the projection 2O and the portion of the valve closing the passage 22. Fluid-tight joints are maintained between the gasket 10 and valve seat 9 and also between the fiexible ring 13 land valve seat 14.

When the air pressure in the delivery chamber 3 is reduced, as for example, when a sprinkler head opens, to such a point that its effect upon the enlarged surface of the: valve 11 is insufficient tocounteract the effeet of the thrust of the pressure of the fluid upon the valve acting upon the projection 20, the valve will start to open. As the valve opens and moves from its seat the` effect of the thrust of the pressure within. the

chamber 2 is exerted upon the projection 2O until the valve has moved away from its seat 9 to such an extent that the flow of fluid over the seat will have no effect upon further movements of the valve. The length of the projection 2O is such that the effect of the thrust of the static pressure vof the fluid is maintained during `the opening movement of the valve, and until the valve is completely opened. t is therefore, apparent that the valve will open quickly Aand posi tively once the pressure'of'the air within the chamber has been reduced to. a point suoli as to unbalance'the opposing thrusts. After the valve has been opened and has moved away from its seat under the impulse of the static head of the fluid in the chamber it falls by its own weight into the position indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1, so that the force of the fiuid flowing out of the orifice 12 will not operate to move the valve and, on the contrary, will operate to hold it at the bottom of the chamber and against the inclined wall 23 of the delivery chamber. The fiow of fluid is now entirely unobstructed and there is no possibility of the valve-becoming columned. "When it is desired to replace the valve and to restore the system to its normal operating .condition1 a plate 2may be removed and the hand inserted through the hole 24.'V The delivery chamber 3 is provided with a drain opening 26 which is' normally closed by a plug through which water may be drained from the delivery chamber if necessary.

The projection 2O also serves to assist the opening' movement of the valve, in thatthe flow of fluid on all sides of the projection operates to maintain the projection in a central position within the orificev 12 so that 10.3 the valve 11 is moved bodilyoutward until the projection has substantially left the orifice.v rfendcncies of the valve to bend or jam are eliminated by the forces set up by the flow of the water on all sides of the pro- 11o jection.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for .causing the fluid within the orifice to pass through a constricted opening` positioned 115 within the orifice itself and to thereby suffer such loss of head that when the fluid flows under the valve body little or no further reduction in pressure head takes place, thereby eliminating and preventing the for- 120 mation of a region of low pressure under the valve so that when the requisite pressure difference is attained the static thrust of the fluid operates to cause the valve to open quickly and positively. After the 125 fluid passes through the initial constricted opening between the plunger and'walls of the orifice, it flows through a` cylindro-annulus formed between the lateral surface of the projection and the walls of the orifice,

liifrsasfie thereby suffering additional loss of pressurehead by hydraulic friction.

The plunger 20 is cast of bronze orother noncorrosive vmaterial and its length or size will of course vary With'the size of the ori fice. F or best results. l have found that the width of the passage 22 betiveen the projection 20 and orifice should not exceed '0.07 of the radius of the supply chamber and that the vleno'th of the projection should not be less than eight times the Width of this spa-ce. The annular opening' thus formed permits diminished iioxv of liuid over `the valve seat and under the marginal portion ofthe vulve during the initial portion of its opening` movement, The portion of the projection 20 adjacent the valve 1l is hollow and the opposite solid end is of sufi'icient Weight to bring the center of gravity 0f the entire'valve and-projection Well toward the supply chamber side of the valve so as to facilitate the seating of the valve and to in retaining it in position when there is an absence of pressure in the air chamber` during; the reseatingr of the valve.

Vhile the invention has been :illustra-ted as embodied in a dry-pipe sprinklersystem, it will beunderstocd that it may be embodied in other systems and in other forms of valves in which the val-ve body is held to its seat by any sort of pressure `and moved from its seat by the fluid pressure When a difference between the fluid and external pressures is attained. I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: i

1. A valve adapted to control the emission of a fiuid from an orifice having, in combination, a valve seat surrounding the orifice; a valve vbody adapted 'to be retained in a position to close the orifice by external pressure and to be moved from its seat by fluid pressure when a ypredetermined difference between the Huid and external pressures is attained. and a projection on the valve body extended into the orifice, the projection forming With the Walls of the orifice a constricted passage through Which the fluidis caused to flow as the valve starts to open and to thereby suffer suflicient loss of head so that the formation of a region of low pressure under the valve is prevented during` the opening of the valve.

2. A valve adapted to control the emission of a fluid from an orifice having, in combination7 a valve seat surrounding the orice, a valve body adapted to be retained in a position to close the orifice by external pressure,

and to be moved from its seat by fluid pressure when a predetermined difference between the Huid and external pressures is attained, and a projection on said valve body extended into the orifice, the projection forming with the walls of the orifice a cylindro-annulus of such size that as the fluid is caused to How therethrough during the opening of the valve sufficient reduction in head aste .prevent formation ofa region of low pressure under the valve during its opening movements takes place.

3, A valve adapted-to control the emission of a` fluid from an orifice having, in combination, a valve seat surrounding the-orifice, a valve body` adapted to be retained in a position to close the orifice by external pressure and lto be Vmoved from its seat by fluid pressure when a predetermined difference between the fluid and external pressures is attained, and means secured to the valve for formingY an initial constricted opening located vvithin the orifice and through Which fluid is caused to pass and to suffe-r a reduction in head whereby the development of a region of lovv pressure under the valve during; its opening movements is prevented.

et. A valve having. in combination, a valve casing; provided with supply and Adelivery chambers. and a passage connecting' sa id chambers. an annular valve seat. at the delivery end of said passage, a valve body normally held against said valve seat7 projection on the valve body `extended into the passage of a size and shape arranged to form With the `Walls of the passa-ge a constricted opening; located Within the passage through which the fluid is causedto flovvand to suffer sufcient loss of head so as to prevent the formation a'region of loiv pressure underthe valve during' its opening movements7 asecond annular valve seat for the marginal portion .of said valve body spaced outwardly from thefirst mentioned vare seat' and a recessed portion of the valve casing;- between said valve seats for1ning' a chamber normally 'closed by said valve body and having means for removing' Aor draining off any excess fluid that 'may leal( past .the valve seats.

' 5. A valve having in combinatioma casing provided With supply and delivery chambers.A a vvall separating' said ch: ynbers having `a vpassage therethrough. a.. .,nular valve seat adjacent the delivery end of said passage and projecting` from the plane of the adjacent surface of the casing, a second annular valve seaton said casing separated from the first valve seat, a valve body adapted to be normally held against said seats to close said. passage and the space between said seats7 and means on said valve body for forn'iing an initial constricted opening Within the passage through which the fiuid is caused to fioiv and to suffer sufficient loss of head so that the formation of a region of low pressure under the valve during its opening movements is prevented.

6. A valve having, in combination, a casing provided with supply and delivery chambers, a Wall separating said chambers and havingv a passage therethrough, an annular valve seat adjacent the delivery end of said passage, and projecting beyond the plane of the adjacent surface of the casing, a second. annular valve seat on said casing, surrounding and separated from the lfirst valve seat, and projecting a less distance beyond said adjacent surface, a dish shaped valve body having a recessed portion adapted to be normally held against the first valve seat and a marginal portion adapted to be normally held against the second valve sea-t and a projection on said recessed portion of a size and shape arranged to-form an initial constricted opening Within the passage through Which the fluid is caused to flow and to suffer sufficient loss of head so that the formation of a region of low pressure under the valve during its opening movements is prevented.

7. A valve having, in combination, a valve casing provided with supply and delivery chambers, a Wally separating said chambers and having an opening therein, a cylindrical ring inserted in said opening and projecting into said supply and delivery chambers, an annular valve seat at the delivery end of said ring, a second annular valve seat on said casing, a dish shaped valve body normally held against said seats to close the opening and means on said valve body for forming an initial V constricted opening Within the passage through which the fluid is caused to flow and to suffer suiiicient loss velopment of a region of low pressure under the valve during its opening movements is prevented.

9. A differential valve for use in a drypipe sprinkler system having, in combination, a casing provided with supply and delivery chambers, a Wall separating said chambershaving a passage therethrough, an annular valve seat adjacent the delivery end of said passage, a valve body normally held in position to close said passage by a `relatively light air pressure, and means carried by the valve body and extended Within said passage for forming an initial constricted opening` Within the passage and through which the water is caused to flow to thereby suffer sufficient 'loss of head to prevent the development of a region. of low pressure under the valve body during its opening movements.

l0. A differential valve for use in a drypipe sprinkler system having, in combination, a casing provided with supply and delivery chambers, a Wall separating said chambers having a passage therethrough, an annular valve seat adjacent the delivery end of said passage, a valve body normally held in position to close said passage by a relatively light air pressure, and a projection upon the valve body extended into the opening of such size and shape as to form an initial constricted opening Within the pas' sage and through which the Water is caused to oiv to thereby suffer sufficient loss of head to prevent the development of a region of low pressure under the valve body during its opening movements. A j

11. A valve having, in combination, a valve seat, surrounding an orifice, a valve body for closing the orifice, said valve'body being provided with a cylindrical proj ection extended into the oriiice,the portion of the projection adjacent the valve body being hollow, whereby the center of gravity of the valve body and projection, is positioned adjacent the end of the projection.

f V@Harness r. BECKHAM, 

